Many treatments exist for the symptoms and complications of CF. The main goal is to prevent infections, reduce the amount and thickness of secretions in the lungs, improve airflow, and maintain adequate calories and nutrition.To accomplish these objectives, treatments for CF may include:
- Antibiotics. Newer antibiotics may more effectively fight the bacteria that cause lung infections in people with CF. Among these are aerosolized antibiotics that send medication directly into airways. One of the major drawbacks of long-term use of antibiotics is the development of bacteria that are resistant to drug therapy.
- Mucus-thinning drugs. When your white blood cells attack bacteria in your airways, DNA in the cells is released, making the mucus in your airways even thicker. The aerosolized drug dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) is an enzyme that fragments DNA, making mucus thinner and easier to cough up. Side effects of Pulmozyme may include airway irritation and sore throat.
- Bronchodilators. Use of medications such as albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) may help keep open the bronchial tubes by clearing thick secretions.
- Bronchial airway drainage. People with CF need a way to physically remove thick mucus from their lungs. This is often done by manually clapping on the front and back of the chest — a procedure that's best performed with the person's head over the edge of the bed so that gravity helps clear the secretions. In some cases an electric chest clapper, known as a mechanical percussor, is used. An inflatable vest that vibrates at high frequency can also help people with CF cough up secretions. Both adults and children with CF need to have bronchial airway drainage at least twice a day for 20 to 30 minutes. Older children and adults can learn to do this themselves, especially if they use mechanical aids such as vests and percussors. Young children need the aid of parents, grandparents or older siblings.
- Exercise. Children with CF should be active. They can swim, ride bikes, run, play sports and games. Most children with CF can do any exercise they want.
Exercise can:
- Loosen mucus in the lungs so it can be coughed up easier;
- Cause coughing, which helps clear the lungs;
- Strengthen breathing muscles and the heart. - Oral enzymes and better nutrition. CF can cause you to become malnourished because the pancreatic enzymes needed for digestion don't reach your small intestine, preventing food from being absorbed. As a result, you may need many more calories than you otherwise would. Supplemental high-calorie nutrition, special vitamins and enteric-coated oral pancreatic enzymes can help you maintain or even gain weight.
